Namaskar,
It is quite clear that Baba’s book – Problems of the Day – addresses many points across the entire gamut of Ananda Marga social philosophy. Yet sometimes this is misunderstood by some.

For instance, some years ago, one respected Dadaji publicly wrote: “the book [Problems of the Day] is focused on just one major problem – capitalism.”

Thus Dadaji claimed that the Problems of the Day book is dealing with just one problem. However, we know that this is simply not true. Problems of the Day examines a wide breadth of social issues. And I think that Dada came to understand this fact.

More recently, one “author” misrepresented Problems of the Day. Throughout his own publication, which was proof-read countless times, this person refers to the book as Problem of the Day – i.e. in singular form, not Problems of the Day. Indeed, he titled chapter 17 of his book, “Problem of the Day” and throughout that 9-page chapter refers to it over and over again on every page as Problem of the Day. Why Devashish (Deva’shiis’a / Devashish / Devashiisa) did like this in his book, The Jamalpur Years (2010), one can only surmise.

Suffice to say here that we should always present “Problems of the Day” to others in a way where they can understand that in this small booklet, Baba has graciously addressed all the major problems plaguing humanity. In seed form, He has addressed everything.

That much should always be conveyed to others – it will generate interest and curiosity – and people will be inclined to learn more. In this manner we can propagate Prout.

So everyone should be perfectly clear that Problems of the Day is not about one issue, rather all of them. Where this has been misrepresented in formal publications it should be corrected.

BEST WAY TO GET AN OVERVIEW OF PROUT

One of the best ways to get an overview of Baba’s teachings on Prout is to read these three short discourses:
(1) Discourses on Prout (initially titled “A Discussion”)
(2) Talks on Prout
(3) Problems of the Day

Each of the above three discourses has been published as a single chapter in the Prout in a Nutshell book series.

QUICK WAY TO KNOW ALMOST ALL POLICIES OF PROUT

Baba inaugurated the Renaissance Universal movement in Shrii Aniruddha Prasad Singh’s house (Trimohan, Bhagalpur) on 26 January 1958 by delivering the famed discourse that was printed in book form as “Problems of the Day”.

So Problems of the Day was given even before “Idea and Ideology”, and just after Baba delivered Tattvika Praveshika. In those early days, Baba had yet to put forth His teaching on social philosophy, so those margiis were unaware about those critical issues.

Today, we see Prout as a vast body of literature which contains around 200 discourses published in 21 volumes and related books. Now we know well that Baba’s Proutistic teachings cover every nook and corner of human experience. Prout is vast in scope and its entirety falls within the realm of the social philosophy of Ananda Marga.

But during those early days when Baba started Ananda Marga Pracarak Samgha, there was not so much written about our social philosophy. So margiis were not aware about Baba’s social viewpoints and perspectives. So it was essential to put forth a brief yet comprehensive overview of Ananda Marga’s social platform, i.e. the ideals and stand of Prout. And that is exactly what Baba did in this very discourse which HE delivered in Bhagalpur on 26 January 1958.

The ‘Problems of the Day’ discourse contains 37 points. All those points are independent issues. And these are not ordinary issues – they are burning issues. The whole globe is suffering from these problems. Baba, being the Taraka Brahma, even addressed points in 1958 that were not dire issues in those days, but were to become critical topics in the years to come. So with perfect knowledge and perfect foresight, Baba told everything on that occasion.

This relatively short discourse gives a pointed and dynamic overview of nearly every Proutistic teaching – in seed form. Those aware about Prout philosophy and the Problems of the Day book cannot deny this fact.

SOME OF THE POINTS ADDRESSED IN “PROBLEMS OF THE DAY”

Here are some critical examples what subjects have been addressed in this single discourse, Problems of the Day.

– Cosmic Fraternity and Ownership of Property vs Communism and Capitalism;
– Communism and Gandhism are not the Answer of Capitalism;
– Communistic approach of Accusing Capitalism is Negative;
– Policy of Distribution of Wealth vs. Capitalism and Communism;
– Spiritual Motivation vs. Communism and Capitalism;

The points do not end here. There are many more issues which Baba has addressed in this book, Problems of the Day:

Here are some more points which Baba has addressed in Problems of the Day:

– Issue of Unity and Party Politics;
– Social Service and Party Politics and Universalism;
– Importance of Spirituality in Politics / Failure of Communism;
– Party politics and Communism & Capitalism;
– Classless Society and Communism;
– Issue of Education and Party Politics;

THESE POINTS AS WELL ARE PRESENT IN THE PROBLEMS OF THE DAY BOOK

And finally here are other issues from Baba’s Problems of the Day discourse:

And so many more points have been addressed in this Problems of the Day (POD) book. If any sincere margii will take efforts to read carefully they may find more issues as well.

“PROBLEMS OF THE DAY” IS COMPREHENSIVE

So in this Problems of the Day discourse, Baba has given one special, comprehensive vision in a compact format. That’s to say Baba has given the points in very small, form – smaller than mustard seeds yet those issues and solutions into gigantic banyan trees. So this single discourse gives pointed solutions to so many problems.

“PROBLEMS OF THE DAY” DISCOURSE ALONE IS ENOUGH FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHICAL

OF THE VAST PROUT PHILOSOPHY

These points are very significant and of critical importance. For quick reference, this Problems of the Day discourse alone is enough for
general philosophical knowledge of the vast PROUT philosophy. With the help of this book those early margiis began their socio-political
awareness of Ananda Marga ideals and developed an understanding of the key concepts of Prout.

As we know Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji Baba has given Prout as a part of Ananda Marga philosophy, which is why the essentials of Prout stand in the 5th chapter of Ananda Sutram.

Baba has systematically addressed all the problems causing huge catastrophes and creating serious impediments to the formation of one human society. The whole globe is suffering and burning in these various problems. And Baba has given all those solutions.

Until these things are followed, the crisis is not going to finish. Rather it will escalate. So in conclusion we can say that this Problems of the Day discourse is basic and fundamental, yet dynamic and complex.

POINTS WERE ELABORATED UPON IN SUBSEQUENT PROUT DISCOURSES

Because the fact is that in this Problems of the Day discourse, Baba has given the solution to all the burning socio-economico-politico issues. Since then Baba has given one or more discourses and elaborated further upon all these points and given a more detailed solution. Yet, the foundation was all put forth on that occasion when He delivered, “Problems of th Day.”

The ideas Baba has expressed in His Problems of the Day lecture have been magnified in various discourses which are available in
Prout volumes.

Although Problems of the Day is one discourse, or just one booklet or book, whatever we may call it; but its existence is very meaningful. It is like a map which is small in size but represents a vast area. That is the way this Problems of the Day discourse works.

A GREAT WAY TO LEARN THE ESSENTIALS OF PROUT

Those who want to gain a basic understanding of Prout philosophy in seed form should read “Problems of the Day” – again and again. This book touches all the points and hence is an ideal publication to recommend to sympathizers and new persons. By this way they will easily understand our socio-economico-politico stand.

DEFECTIVE SOCIAL ORDER INJECTS AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX

“There cannot be any complex in the spiritual level or existential sphere. In spirituality there is no complex because every person has contact with Parama Puruśa on a purely personal level. There is no third existence between them. There are only two – the spiritualist and the Parama Pitá [Cosmic Father]. Spiritualists move towards the Cosmic Father and sit on His lap. To do this is every one’s birthright. Nobody can be debarred from doing so on the pretext of inferior caste, colour, education or poverty. Since this is everyone’s birthright there cannot be any complex in the arena of spirituality. The defective social order injects an inferiority complex in the mind which often persists even when people enter the spiritual field. They feel that as the Cosmic Father is so great, how can they, being of low caste or poor or uneducated, go to Him? This is called mahimnabodha in the shástras [scriptures]. But one should not forget that the relation of father and child exists. Even if the father is a great scholar, the uneducated child will go to him and ask for whatever he requires because he or she has affection for the father. Just now I said that in the field of spirituality there cannot be any complex, but there are complexes due to social defects. It is our spiritual duty to rectify the social order. If we fail, there may not be good spiritualists. Even those who have the potentiality to become good spiritualists may not progress. They may be like a flower that dies before it blossoms.
I cannot allow this to happen. For this reason the theory of Prout has been given so that every person can progress speedily in the field of spirituality without any complex.” (1)

ENTIRE THEORY OF PROUT STANDS UPON THIS VAEDIKA SERMON

“Suppose you have gathered sufficient money, and there is no dearth of food in your house, but the remaining portion of society, your neighbours, your friends, are suffering from a dearth of money, or food, or clothes. Then it means that you are not following the spirit of “samgacchadhvam”. “Samgacchadhvam” means to build a strong, well-knit society where there shall be no exploitation, no superiority complex or inferiority complex. Just to represent the spirit of “samgacchadhvam”, I propounded the theory of PROUT. So the entire theory of PROUT stands upon this Vaedika sermon of “samgacchadhvam”.” (2)

CREATIONS OF VESTED INTERESTS

“Just see the case of air, light, water, respirations and everything. The need for these things is the same for all individuals. There have been no differentiations. These differentiations that we see in society are creations of vested interests, creations of depraved persons, of degenerated, immoral people. So you should not support these actional defects of immoral persons. You should follow the divine vibrational system, that is, you must not try to find any differentiations among individuals. “Devábhágam yathápúrve saḿjánáná upásate.” It is the wont of divine expressions that there be no differentiations, no class of exploiters and exploited. That is, this wont of not creating any differentiations was not only their duty, it was their upásaná, the desideratum of their existential march.” (3)

BELONGS TO THE SAME BIG HUMAN FAMILY

““Samáni va ákuti”. When everything cometh from the same source, from the same Progenitor, and when finally everything goeth back to the same desideratum, there must be the same aspirations, the same longing, in the heart of each and every individual. But due to the depraving actions of immoral people, those exploited, those downtrodden people are forced to forget their goal. They are drifted away from the desideratum of their life. This should not be done. Everybody should get the chance to develop their natural longings for Him.
“Samánáhrdayánivah”. When everything comes from the same Progenitor and moves along the same path towards the supreme culminating point, then should there be any cordial difference between man and man? No, there must not be. Everybody should be given the scope, or circumstances should be created, such that nobody gets the scope to feel that their future is sealed forever, is blocked. So let everybody feel that everybody in this expressed universe belongs to the same big human family. “Ek caoká, ek culhá, ek hyay mánav samáj”.” (4)

ENEMIES OF THE BIG HUMAN SOCIETY

““Samánamastu vo mano.” All microcosms come from the same Macrocosm, and finally, all microcosms will become one with the same Singular Macrocosm. So, while they are in society, while they are in the phenomenal world, they should remember this Supreme truth: that actually they are one, one Entity expressing itself through so many different corporeal structures. And when this is done – and it is not at all a difficult job to do it – then what will it be? It will be a society in the proper spirit of the term. And this is the loftiest, it is the highest mission of all human beings. Those who do not recognize this fact, or those who want to forget this fact, are actually enemies of human society. Those who support casteism, racialism, provincialism, parochialism, nationalism, even internationalism, are enemies of the big human society. Human society is, rather should be, based on only one ism, and that ism is universalism.” (5)

Namaskar,
in Him
Vidyasagar

Note 1: WHAT IS PROUT

PROUT: Progressive Utilization Theory; Shrii P.R. Sarkar’s socio-economic theory for the all-round development of society. Proutists are adherents of PROUT. To His bhaktas, Shrii P.R. Sarkar is known as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, or simply Baba.

Namaskar,
In 1988, in one of Baba’s regularly held LFT reporting sessions He focused on how to conduct street corner meetings in A’mara’ Bengali (AB) samaj.

Baba advised those Bengali LFTs that it is very important to interweave philosophical teachings with jokes. Baba explained that if you just preach one philosophical point after another, the people will get bored. So the way to be successful in gathering a crowd for a street corner meeting is to get people to laugh.

Baba began, “Everybody knows the communist leaders of Bengal have some favourite slogans, “Those who work in the factory are the owners of the factory and those who plow the field are the owners of the land”.”

Then, in His magnificent and charming manner, Baba presented one joke that those LFTs in AB samaj could use for their street corner meetings in Bengal.

With a grand smile, Baba told: “If the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory, and if the farmer who wields the plough is the owner of the land, then the barber who wields the scissors is the owner of head.”

So in that unforgettable LFT reporting session Baba, in His divine and unique manner, made the above humorous remark.

Hearing Baba’s dramatic delivery and colourful analogy, everyone present immediately erupted into laughter. The room was full of laughter.

After all, if the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory and the farmer who wields the plow is the owner of the land, then the masseuse who gives the massage is the owner of the body, and the chef who prepares the food is the owner of the meal, and the street-sweeper who cleans the street is the owner of the road.

Here again is Baba’s marvelous joke: “If the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory, and if the farmer who wields the plow is the owner of the land, then the barber who wields the scissors is the owner of head.”

Indeed, just as it is ludicrous to think that the barber owns the person’s head whose hair he (the barber) is cutting, similarly Baba is pointing out the ridiculous and hypocritical ways of communism: Working in a factory does not make one the factory owner and plowing the field does not transfer ownership to the farmer. No right-thinking person can think like this.

So that is the humorous joke Baba told to those LFTs doing pracara in Bengal. As everyone knows West Bengal itself is riddled with communism.

The overall idea is that Baba is teaching us that when giving a lecture then we should employ humor that will be easily understood by the local people.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Chandra Deva

Note 1: MORE OF THE HYPOCRISY OF COMMUNISM

Here it should be understood that the above slogans, which are used by communists to rouse the sentiment of the people, are actually diametrically opposed to the philosophy expressed in the Communist Manifesto which states that all the land belongs to the state. The communists use the slogan – “Those who wield the plough are the owners of the land” – in countries where the government is not communist and they want to gain the sympathy of the people; and when in a fully controlled communist country then they resort to the latter slogan of the Communist Manifesto which states that all land belongs to the state. This is their devious & hypocritical manner.

Note 2: WHY FAMILY NAMES SHOULD BE DISCARDED

Baba says, “Casteism is a burden on the Hindu society. All the year round they preach casteism but on the polling days they decry it. This is wholly undesirable. It is better to avoid all titles. Titles signify the caste. If casteism is to be wiped out, it is incumbent to discard the titles. It is commendable if everyone adopts uniformity on title – Deva. Persons using a particular word more often will influence their minds with the meaning of that word. People are reluctant to use the word dása because this word signifies slavery. Whenever the so-called low caste people catch an opportunity, they declare themselves as belonging to the so-called elevated caste, etc. It is an ideal to become deva and for this reason Deva title should be adopted.”

“Titles of the present society have undergone considerable changes during the past fifty years, the cause being that everyone aspires to pertain to an elevated caste. The so-called Shúdras also use the sacred thread. This is only an effort towards the concealment of one’s identity. By this means, they conceal only their disregarded status. This is to be regretted. It is consequent on social debility that they harbour the desire for changes in their situations. It is out and out purposeless to convene All-India Conferences or particular castes. All of them desire to assert and establish their rights. This is simply misuses of energy and money.”

“The consent of those embraced must be sought for before renaming them in Saḿskrta. Language has got nothing to do with religion and as such, there is no reason for anybody depreciating the use of Saḿskrta. In this connection it may be added that the great emperor Aurangzeb used the term sudhárasa (juice of nectar) for mango (original Saḿskrta term for mango is ámra) and saddharma for Islam.” (Tattvika Diipika, 5th part, Ánanda Púrńimá 1957)

So many areas of the globe are affected by caste and communal feeling. From the British lords to India’s brahmins and so many points in between, and here above Baba gives the perfect antidote and solution to such narrow-minded and harmful thinking.

Namaskar,
When a person is working very hard and it is apparent that he may get success, then others may try to pull that individual down to prevent him from marching ahead. They choose to sabotage his efforts. This is a common occurrence.

This might happen in the form of teasing, distracting, discouraging, harassing, and it might even escalate to attacking that individual.

For instance:

Suppose one young / old acarya is very sincere in sadhana. Then some senior avadhutas may discourage or interfere with his sadhana routine. Why? Because they themselves are not interested in or able to do sadhana, and they cannot digest the idea that this acarya will make great progress in sadhana and be held in high regard. So they try to discourage, undermine, and interrupt his dharmic efforts. Or they may even do worse than that. They may threaten him, harass him, and it might escalate to even attacking that acarya. These are actual events that have happened in the past and continue to happen.

But Baba says:

“Suppose someone is doing some good work but others cannot tolerate him; they try to pull him down. This should not be done; rather you should encourage such people by saying, “Keep up the good work! I fully support you.” This is muditá (encouragement).” (Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11)

CASE STUDIES IN TODAY’S ANANDA MARGA SOCIETY

Unfortunately not all in Ananda Marga live up to this standard. They do not all adhere to Baba’s guideline. Here is one case study:

(1) One central didi becomes angry when anyone sings during paincjanya in the jagrti / Central office (Ranchi). She bitterly complains, “What are you doing! This is my time to sleep – do not make such noise! If you must sing then do it in a whisper – this is my time to sleep!” Then didiji promptly goes back to bed.

(2) Not only that, this same didi then wakes up at 7am – if she sees that others are still doing their sadhana lessons, she cries out, “Stop your sadhana, breakfast is needed, I have to be in Central Office by 8am – quick quick.” Didiji skips her sadhana and asanas entirely; she takes bath and then directly goes to take food – which others have prepared for her.

(3) The name of this Central Didi is Ananda Abhisambuddha. She is the one who sleeps late, does not allow others to practice paincajanya, and interrupts those doing longer sadhana.

(4) Many say that Ananda Niitimaya has similar habits.

(5) Then there is this point: As many know, for avadhutas, it is mandatory to do night sadhana one time per month. For tantrikas – i.e. for all Ananda Margiis – night sadhana is a very special practice.

However, if any inspired dada or didi, whether they be young or old, shows a strong inclination toward and deep interest in night sadhana, and they try to be regular in this practice, then top Wts harass and abuse that worker. They say things like: “This is not good – if you do more night sadhana then Baba will curse you!”, or “A ghost will attack you, and you will become mad!”, or “You will turn into a lunatic or meet your death; you will degenerate and ultimately destroy yourself!”

Not only that, they may try and tear down your character as well.

In sum, they do everything they can to discourage and mock those interested in deeper sadhana.

(6) What to speak of sadhana, even if one didi or dada is sincere in kaoshikii and tandava or half-bath, asana, or is strict in sentient food by not eating hot spices, or taking food in a restaurant / hotel, then they face abuse and ridicule from their seniors and supervisors.

Such is the “culture” that has developed in our organization. Those inclined toward spiritual practice are sidelined, abused, and alienated.

Here is a listing of some of the key Wts who suffer[ed] from this ailment and malign others: Rudranandji, Nigamanandji, Sarvatmanandji, Vandananandji, Parmeshvaranandji, Vratiishvaranandjii aka Vicitranandji aka Vikashanandji, Sambhutyanandji, Bhaveshanandaji, Viitamohanandji, Raviishanandji etc.

They all suffer from this same psychic problem. This is one critical manner how this problem of discouraging good works manifests in today’s Ananda Marga society, i.e. the post 1990 era.

According to Baba’s guideline such persons are doer of ku.

“Suppose someone is urged on by a noble idea. In that case, if innumerable hindrances are created on some pretext or the other, or the person is discouraged, or vigorous efforts are made to turn that person into a materialist with a misleading philosophy, or the benevolent spirit is suppressed, then all such deceitful deeds are called ku.” (Shabda Cayaniká Part 4, Disc 27)

Such persons do not care about Guru’s guideline.

Baba says, “We should develop our character in such a way that we encourage people to express their latent genius, rather than pulling them down by creating obstacles in their path. One of the main defects of people is jealousy. Let us all remain free from this defect. If someone prospers in life, others always seek to pull them down saying, “Why do you rise so high above us? Sit down! Don’t rise up, we cannot tolerate it!” If we encourage a genius to unfold his or her potentialities, then the whole human society will be benefited.” (A Few Problems Solved Part 3, Genius & Technician)

EXAMPLES FROM THE GENERAL SOCIETY

Now let’s examine how this problem might take shape in the general society.

An athlete sees his fellow athlete (Ramu) involved in a diligent training routine. They may think, “Ramu, is working very hard, he is in excellent condition, and his mind is focused. Certainly he will make the Olympics, and I will be left behind.” At this point, that person may try to discourage Ramu by saying, “Why are you training so hard – take a break – come out to the movies with us etc.” Why do such persons do this? Because they know that they themselves do not have the requisite drive to gain victory, so they try to ruin the next person’s chances. This happens due to fear, nervousness, or they simply feel threatened by another’s impending success. So they try to spoil it by preventing them from achieving greatness or respect etc.

Let’s take a look at another scenario.

Suppose one student in a dormitory is very focused on his studies. Everyone can see that at some point in the future he is bound to receive a great academic prize. Then other students may start to joke or tease that conscientious student. They do not want him to progress, so they say things like, “You are so boring, you study all the time.” Or, “Don’t you have any friends – all you do is study, study, study.” In this way they will try to discourage him and interrupt his approach.

In all such cases, one party discourages another to prevent them from doing good deeds and becoming successful. They do not want that person to be lauded, recognised, honoured, or respected for his efforts. So they do all they can to prevent his success.

The communist government in West Bengal did this with Ananda Marga. During the disastrous flood in Tiljala, then right away our Dadas, Didis, LFTs, and family margiis jumped into action to help the common people. But the government did not want Ananda Marga to gain any recognition so they announced, “Only government agencies can provide flood and disaster relief – not any other party.”

WHAT IS THE OPERATIVE FACTOR

The basic formula in all these circumstances is that one person or one body sees another working sincerely and diligently. So they try to hinder and block their success. To this end, they dive head first into a campaign of discouragement to sidetrack and minimise that person’s outcome. That is the problem at hand.

In that sense it is different from jealousy. In jealousy, already the next party has attained success, and that makes the jealous person angry or despondent. Whereas in this situation, the person or party has yet to gain success. Rather they are moving fast towards it, so others try to block the pathway. Such manipulators know that they themselves are too lazy or indisciplined, and they feel worried or threatened by the next persons’s forthcoming triumph, so they choose to sabotage the efforts of others.

This might happen in the form of teasing, distracting, discouraging, harassing, and it might even escalate to attacking that individual.

In the general society, this is looked upon as a normal condition. This type of reaction is common, unfortunately. People feel threatened by another’s success, so they try to discourage him from doing good works. Yet, this defective mentality of discouraging and undermining others only leads to self-pity, mean-mindedness, and a defeatist complex etc.

In that situation, how can anyone who has this disease do sadhana or think about Parama Purusa – they cannot. That is why in Ananda Marga, discouraging others from doing good work is classified as a psychic disease. It is one of those degrading vrttis that only invites bad samskaras and ruins one’s spiritual flow.

SADHANA AND PSYCHIC DISEASES

The wide range of psychic diseases leads to so many problems and difficulties. Those who do sadhana regularly purify the mind. In that case their thought process and outlook is not dominated by psychic diseases, like discouraging others from good works. The formula is: The more sadhana, the more the mind rises above these depraving tendencies.

As sadhakas, we do sadhana regularly and strive to keep the mind happy, calm, and blissful; then the mind is less apt to fall into depraving ways like discouraging others from good works. By this way, we keep the mind balanced and it does not get routed into feelings of mean-mindedness etc.

Those not doing sadhana are more apt to succumb to psychic diseases as that vrtti is not checked by a spiritual approach. For sadhakas also, various psychic diseases can invade one’s thinking.

So we should all know the way out.

HOW TO REMOVE PSYCHIC DISEASES FROM THE MIND

The standard method for overcoming mental diseases like pride of lineage (kula) and ka’ma (physical longing) etc is to channelise those negative feelings towards Parama Purusa. For instance, if one lusts a particular person or money, then that desire – “I want money” – should be channelised towards Parama Purusa. The aspirant should think, “O’ Parama Purusa, I want You and only You.” Then one will gain devotion, by His grace. The allurement for the mundane will no longer disturb them. Rather, the mind will rise up and become filled with the thought of the Supreme. In that case, one will not fall prey to psychic diseases.

The question then arises: What to do with feelings of discouragement? Because that tendency of mind – i.e. discouraging others from doing valiant deeds – cannot be projected, redirected, or channelised toward Parama Purusa. One cannot say, “O Parama Purusa, why do You try to be so perfect, better You should relax and sit down etc.” In this circumstance, channelizing that discouraging tendency of mind towards Parama Purusa is not possible.

In that case, what is the remedy? To adopt a contrary outlook and then goad the mind toward Parama Purusa.

Baba’s foundational formula for treating certain psychic diseases is to apply the exact opposite mind-set. Jealous is cured by kindness (maetrii); sadistic feelings are cured by compassion (karuna). And in this letter we addressed the problem of discouraging others’ good works.

In all these conditions, Baba has given a set procedure: Adopt an opposing approach. In His discourse, Baba presents a very simple analogy. If you are surrounded by darkness, then the solution is not more darkness, but rather a torch light. That is how to overcome the darkness.

BABA’S TWO-STEP PROCESS

Similarly, as human beings, as sadhakas, we are to take a similar approach when combating certain psychic diseases or ailments. First we should counteract that psychic disease to balance the mind and then channelise the mind toward Parama Purusa.

For this, Baba has given us a two-step process:

(a) First neutralise those feelings of being threatened by seeing another’s potential success. And the best way to do this is by cultivating feelings of happiness (mudita). Do not tease or mock them, “rather you should encourage such people by saying, “Keep up the good work! I fully support you.”” Think how happy and wonderful it will be to see your colleague, teammate, or fellow student become highly successful. Bathe oneself in the joy of their success. With such feelings of kindness, one will not feel disturbed knowing that another is on the pathway to greatness. Then, one will not be hindered by this very negative tendency of discouraging others. Once that happens the mind will become calm and balanced.

(b) The next step is to channelise that calm mind towards Parama Purusa by engaging in devotional practices: Singing kiirtan, doing sadhana etc.

Thus, it is a two-step process: First neutralisation by developing an encouraging attitude known as mudita in Samskrta. That means taking delight or becoming joyous seeing another’s progress. That will help map the mind balanced. Once done, the mind can be channelied to the thought of Parama Purusa through the practice of kiirtan and sadhana.

BABA’S EXAMPLE: HOW TO NEUTRALISE THE MIND

In this following section of His discourse, Baba practically shows us the technique for neutralising the mind.

“Suppose someone is doing some good work but others cannot tolerate him; they try to pull him down. This should not be done; rather you should encourage such people by saying, “Keep up the good work! I fully support you.” This is muditá (encouragement).” (Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11)

THEN CHANNELISE

By following Baba’s practical suggestions and guideline, any sadhaka or any individual can easily reduce – nay remove – this tendency to discourage those involved in noble pursuits, and thereby avoid accumulating that negative samskara. This is one great boon for both individuals and the collective body. So much loss and waste results from discouraging others – i.e. undermining good people involved in productive endeavours. This is the misuse of human life. Plus, those who indulge in this way will have to undergo so many bad reactions. For this, Baba has graciously given the remedy: Neutralise the mind by harboring feelings of kindness and joy.

Certainly though, a sadhaka will not just neutralise the mind, but will follow Baba’s guideline to goad the mind towards Parama Purusa. Because when the mind is clear of all tendencies toward discouraging others, then in that state, the mind is balanced and calm and can easily be channelised to the Supreme.

So Baba’s strategy of “taking the opposite stance in battle” means withdrawing the mind from a depraving tendency – neutralising it if needed – and then goading it in a positive direction by encouraging feelings of generosity, kindness, compassion etc. The most positive direction is towards Parama Purusa.

This is a very practical guideline that we should all use in day to day life.

Baba says, “The movement is to make the mind pinnacled, apexed, and bring all the propensities to that point, and goad it towards your spiritual goal.” (Subjective Approach and Objective Adjustment)

Namaskar,
at His feet,
Caetanya Deva

Note 1: RELATED TEACHINGS

Here following are more of Baba’s divine guidelines on this topic.

“Neither should one be jealous of a person who performs many virtuous deeds and charitable actions. Rather one should think well of the person since he or she is doing good work. “Let his intellect continue to inspire him to perform such virtuous actions. I fully support him.”” 9Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 8)

“You are all sádhakas, you must remember that you are to discourage those forty-nine propensities and you are to encourage that subtlest propensity. To encourage that subtlest propensity is your ádhyátmá sádhaná.”(Ananda Vacanamrtam – 30, The Subtlest Propensity)

“If one sees someone doing noble work, as a result of which the progress of the world is accelerated and the path of human welfare is widened, then one should think: “The noble work of this person will remain written in letters of gold in human history. I shall give my full support to this person in their noble endeavours … I shall help them in every possible way.”” (Shabda Cayaniká Part 4)

“There are some people who, on seeing someone engaged in noble work, try to stop that person; for example, when someone belonging to the opposite camp is trying to help the neglected, downtrodden, people badly hit by famine or flood, they think that [through their philanthropic acts] their adversaries may become popular, and so they must be opposed. There are people who, on seeing someone engaged in harmful activity or malevolent endeavours, encourage them in crude, bestial activities so that they can directly exploit the opportunity for their own benefit.” (Shabda Cayaniká Part 4)

“There are people, however, who have opposite feelings. They burn in envy to see someone happy, and make an all out effort to put them in danger. On seeing someone in distress, they think: “Rightly served. As you sow, so you reap. Let their troubles augment.” Such human-shaped animals are prowling about in many fields of life, including the field of politics.” (Shabda Cayaniká Part 4)

Baba, my dearest, please remain along with me, in my mind eternally. I do not want to forget You. I will not forget, by Your grace. Sometimes when my mind drifts away, with the cyclone of crude vibrations and negative microvita, please keep me on the path of consciousness. Please grace me. Every moment please look towards me with Your compassionate and causeless grace, my Baba…

Baba, You are our everything, our Heart of hearts. We love only You. Baba, by Your grace we are moving ceaselessly along Your divine path; we are treading on that very path which You have graciously shown to us. Baba, day and night we sing Your boundless glories and dance according to Your sweet rhythms. O’ Lord, we always propagate Your grand ideals. Baba, You have created us: We are Your thought projection; we are Your progeny. Baba, You are our Father – Our Ista.

Baba, by Your grace we love one and all equally; everyone’s existence is treasured. We do not differentiate between high and low, small and big, rich and poor, touchable and untouchable, sinner and virtuous, literate and illiterate etc. All are kith and kin – all are family members. All are part of that singular humanity. Baba, we are all bound together with Your divine love. O’ Lord, with Your infinite compassion You always call us to come close with Your beacon call, which pulls our heart close to You. By Your grace we hear Your call and move towards You. Baba, You are the Goal. Our each and every action and deed is aimed toward Your divine stance – toward reaching up to You. Baba, You are our Aim and the Polestar of our life.

Baba, You have blessed us with the ideals of neo-humanism. Firstly, You have graciously granted us individual freedom; secondly, You have infused us with collective spirit; and thirdly, You have spiritualised our minds with the dhyana of the Supreme One [1]. With these three attributions one other quality unfolds: We wage a relentless fight against all the evils. And by Your grace victory is sure. Baba, by these four noble qualities of neo-humanism– individual freedom, collective spirit, spiritual outlook, and fight against evil forces – we have created one big banyan tree of love and affection which branches out and extends throughout this vast universe. O’ Baba, by this approach we have made this dusty earth into a golden paradise, by Your divine blessing.

Baba, we all love only You; You are our Goal. O’ our most Adored One…

NOTES ABOUT PRABHAT SAMGIITA #3821:

[1] “Vya’s’t’…amara’r”: In the third and final stanza of the above song, Baba describes 4 special principles that are part and parcel of our neo-humanistic philosophy: (a) individual freedom, (b) collective interest, (c) spiritual ideation, (d) the fight against injustices. All are four are needed to create a golden paradise on this earth and build a society in the real sense of the term. Only neo-humanism can make this happen.

Spirituality is an essential aspect of neo-humanism. Without proper dhyana, individual freedom can be twisted to exploit the masses. Such is the case in capitalism since it is devoid of a spiritual approach. People just equate individual freedom with selfish pleasure and degrading activities. Communism does not allow for individual freedom nor does it recognise spirituality: Both are missing. For this reason, collective interest and a loving society could not be attained in communism. So it is more murderous than capitalism. Comparatively speaking, communists are worse than capitalists.

Then in the dogma-centered philosophy such as in the crude religions, individual freedom and perfect spirituality are missing. So the religions are just dogma-based. There is no true feeling of universal love. That is why followers of same religion can kill each other. This history has witnessed again and again. So the religious society is also defective.

Baba guides us that in an ideal society all 4 principles are needed: (a) individual freedom, (b) collective interest, (c) spiritual ideation, (d) the fight against injustices. And that only comes about with a neo-humanistic outlook. Failing that, this world cannot become a golden paradise. In the absence of any of these principles, groupism and factionalism will erupt.

So our neo-humanistic approach is entirely revolutionary. In this God-centered approach, individual freedom is used for virtuous deeds which bring collective welfare, and all the while there is a pactless fight against all injustices. This is the speciality of our neo-humanism and this is the grand ideal Baba is propagating in His above song.

== SOME TIPS HOW TO SAVE ONESELF FROM PSYCHIC DISEASES ==

Namaskar,
In this age scientific development has made significant progress, while in comparison human psychic and spiritual growth is lagging far behind. In result, mental tension has multiplied in geometrical progression. The final outcome being that nerve, brain, and heart diseases have become quite common; and nervousness and insanity are also prevalent, if not rampant, in the society. And the remedy for all this is as follows:

Baba says, “While doing work one should ideate, ‘It is the work of Parama Purusa; it is not mine. I am doing His work to please Him’. By following this approach mental tension, nervousness, and psychic diseases will never arise. And also samskaras will not be formed.” (08 April ’84, Tattanagar DMC)

Namaskar,
The day of Dadhiici Divas is approaching March 5. This occasion holds special significance as dharmic sadhakas laid down their lives for the great cause of Ananda Marga ideology. Hence this is a day to honor those who sacrificed and a time to remember the unprecedented dedication it took to build up and establish AM ideology. It is about the rise of bhagavad dharma on this earth.

As we all know prior to ’90 under Baba’s direction many great deeds were done. Along the way many gave their lives for the great cause of dharma. We should reflect upon those sacrifices done for the sake of ideology and take up the vow that once again we should protect and propagate this grand AM ideology.

As you read this full account keep in mind that Notes 1 & 2 appended below address how a dadhiici differs from the Christian concept of martyr and list the names of those in AM who sacrificed their lives for bhagavad dharma.

DADHIICI DIVAS IS ONLY CELEBRATED ON ONE DAY

Initially Dadhiici Divas was declared in memory of those great souls who lost their lives in that tragic incident of 5 March 1967. As more struggles ensued and dedicated sadhakas sacrificed their lives for AM ideology, Baba created the system and gave the idea that this day of March 5 will be the one single day to remember & honour all those who sacrificed their existence for the great call of dharma – AM ideology.

Initially the observation of Dadhiici Divas began with the historical sacrifice of 5 March 1967 wherein some dedicated workers and margiis were tragically and brutally murdered in a barbarous attack by the Communist Party (West Bengal). It happened in Ananda Nagar; and since then this day is held in their honour.

Yet over time Dadhiici Divas has become the day which marks the occasion to remember when any and all Margiis and WTs sacrificed their life for the great cause of AM ideology, i.e Bhagavad Dharma– irrespective of which date and in which particular manner their lives were actually sacrificed. Only one day is fixed to honor those who gave their life for the ideals of AM. And that day is Dadhiici Divas, 5 March.

THE DETAILS OF THAT FATEFUL DAY

Here is a more in-depth look back at the events which transpired on that fateful day of 5 March 1967 as well as the events leading up to it.

As is commonly known our Ananda Nagar was first started on over 1000 acres of land in Baglata, Purulia District West Bengal in 1964. And that time so many beautiful projects and programmes were started to materialise Baba’s vision. There were primary schools, a college, a medical clinic, a children’s home, etc. Many great projects were going on.

But by 1967 serious resistance started to come from the nefarious communist party – CPI(M). Those days the CPI controlled the entire local Purulia area and they had a wicked grip on the West Bengal Govt by controlling many high positions.

So now we can see how the tensions were mounting those days.Because on the one hand due to selfless service by our Marga wholetimers in & around Ananda Nagar, the local people / villagers were getting benefited and were coming close. And the villagers began to see how the CPI was exploiting them.

In reaction, the CPI(M) began to instigate local movements to conspire against AM. To that end, members plotted and convinced local BDO Ashok Chakravarty against our AN Ashram. Then in Aug 1966 this BDO (Block Development Officer) came to our Ashram saying he wanted to be a member of the controlling body of our AM Degree College.

When it was explained to him that unfortunately he did not meet our Ashram’s regulations for such a position, then he became quite furious and irate. Of course he was not acting on his ownl; rather he was just the front-man for the communist party. Then to counter-attack and get revenge BDO returned in Feb 1967 demanding for our Marga to support the local communist candidate in the General Elections. Of course our WT & Margii brothers and sisters humbly explained about our socio-spiritual approach and told that we do not support any political party, per se. In that circumstance this negative BDO was determined for revenge. In truth that BDO was but a pawn of the ruling communists.

The communists began an intensive campaign started to defame AM among Purulia locals. And one serious plot was hatched to attack our Ananda Nagar Ashram. No doubt local people had developed good relations with our Ashram due to the different service projects. But communist workers worked hard to undermine that.

And together with the BDO they sabotaged our relation with the villagers through numerous underhanded and grotesque scene.

For example the communists and the BDO secretly slaughtered many cows and stealthily spread those remains around the villages in the middle of the night. And they told and spread the rumours that the Ananda Marga Ashramites were responsible for the nefarious work. Of course in that case Hindus were furious since they worship the cow as a goddess. And the CPI(M) told the Muslim villagers that the AM sadhus had been driven out of Pakistan and settled in Purulia with deep hatred toward Muslims, and that they would surely be stealing all their land.

So after drumming up sufficient nasty hatred among villagers, the CPI & BDO held another meeting in Susundi village on March 3rd 1967. And they made all the Hindus and Muslims present that day to swear by oath on the Mahabarata and Koran to remove AM sadhus by any means, including murder.

And fifth March was decided to be the day to carry out their dark plot. It was known by all, including AN Ashram residents, all Purulia gov’t and police officials and West Bengal gov’t that the event was planned.

Certainly Ananda Marga sannyasis appealed to both the Purulia gov’t and to police multiple times for protection and security from the oncoming doom. But all of those appeals were ignored. And just one skeletal, paltry force of police was assigned to the ashram grounds. That was the night of March 4th but it was all only to make a show etc. Proof being that by three o’clock in the morning of 5th March, Ananda Nagar was declared as being safe by chief of police. So he left to go back to Purulia, leaving behind only a small show of around thirty men.

But that too was only in show, as in morning when attack came, not one policeman raised his hand. And that terrible day of 5 March 1967, thousands of armed villagers arrived on the scene goaded by the hatred inculcated by CPI workers. And in that fury the villages swept through our Ananda Nagar ashram, destroying everything in sight.

On their horror-stricken path, hundreds of Ananda Nagar residents were seriously wounded and five were struck dead with mortal wounds. And not just killed, but butchered & mauled. Among those victims who fought bravely to defend Ananda Nagar & AM way of life were Dadas Abhedananda and Sachidananda.

Altogether, 5th March 1967 is a day never to be forgotten in Ananda Marga history. A day to recognise those who died for the highest goal.

A DAY TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE OF ALL

Since that fateful occasion, many have come forward in our Marga and sacrificed their lives for the cause of bhagavad dharma including the terrible murder of 18 Avadhutas in broad day-light in the early 80’s, and after that also all such persons who sacrificed for the special cause of AM ideology are honourably called as Dadhiicis. March 5 is in their memory as well (See list in note 2).

OBSERVATION OF THE DAY

In this way, Dadhiici Divas is known as a day of great dedication and sacrifice for the high ideal of AM ideology. It can be celebrated with due respect and regard in the following way:
(A) Half-Day Fasting
(B) Dharmacakra
(C) Slide Show: History of Struggle for Dharma in AM
(D) Debate
(E) Poetry Readings
(F) Dance – Drama: Teach and Educate New People
(G) Talk: Review of spread of bhagavad dharma and recounting the efforts of those who sacrificed.
(H) Exhibition

BABA’S ETERNAL GUIDELINES

On the occasion of this coming Dadhiicii Divas, we should reflect on its special significance and adhere strictly to Baba’s dharmic codes and teachings and establish the AM ideology. Be sure also to read note 1 explaining who is dadhiici.

Baba says, “Fight for your Ideology. Be one with your Ideology. Live for your Ideology. Die for your ideology.” (Ananda Vanii #14)

Baba says, “Life represents Ideology. Life should be sacrificed for the Ideology.” (Ananda Vanii #15)

Namaskar,
Gurucharan Deva

OUR SANSKRIT NAMES

Little by little we should all be accustomed to following Baba’s below guideline and begin at least by using Deva when we sign our emails.

Baba says, “The word deva should be suffixed to the name…the more the usage of deva as a title, the better it is. The Sanskrit name should be used in all worldly dealings.” (Caryacarya-1)

Note 1: DADHIICI DOES NOT MEAN MARTYR

The terms ‘Dadhiici’ and ‘Martyr’ are not the same thing. That is why Baba has specially given the occasion as Dadhiici Divas and not ‘Martyrs Day’ or ‘Shahiids Day’ etc. Because the term dadhiici bears a unique & special significance.

Baba says:

“When Christians die for Christendom, they are called martyrs;
When Muslims die for Islam they are called shahiids;
When My children sacrifice their live for the ideals of Bha’gavat Dharma,
I call them Dadhiicis.” – 5 March, 1967

Hence in Ananda Marga, our concept of dadhiici has absolutely no relation with the Christian term martyr. Because Christian martyrs are only fighting for their selfish and narrow-minded group interest such as in the Crusades and other religious wars. Those martyrs did not sacrifice their lives for the welfare of one and all. In contrast in our AM, those Dahiicis who sacrificed their lives did something for the upliftment of the entire humanity. So none should be confused that the greatness of the term “dahiicis” is similar to the dogmatic Christian concept of “martyr.” Rather these two titles are worlds apart.

Note 2: LIST OF DADHIICIS IN ANANDA MARGA

Here following is a list of some of the brave and courageous WTs and Margiis who have sacrificed their lives for the mission:

Later on:
Ac Ajiitananda Avt was killed after severe torturing in the jail by the police of CPM at Calcutta;

Jan 24, 1988:
Ac Asitananda Avt lost his life at Gilliguchi;

April 2 1990:
Ac Asiimananda Avt (an agricultural specialist) along with four brothers were brutally butchered in broad-daylight by the CPM goondas at Ananda Nagar;

June 4 1990:
Ac Karunaketan Avt lost his life at Pundag railway station by the attack by CPM strong arms.

To these Dadhiicis I pay my deepest salutations.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi esechile, mrdu hesechile sudha’ d’ele…” – P.S. 2309

Purport:

Baba, You came and smiled softly and graced me with the showering of Your divine nectar. Unfortunately, that time I was just engrossed in my own lustful and crude attachments; I was oblivious of Your divine presence. Neither did I turn around to look towards You, nor did I talk with You. That was my pitiful condition.

Baba, keeping my room bolted shut, in that isolated condition I was just secretly involved in thinking about my own greatness. In that crude state of mind I was constantly hankering for more and more prestige – for more name and fame. Baba, I was sitting on the shore of the black river [1] only involved in my own selfish and egotistical thoughts.

O’ my dearest One, I did not look towards so You left – but even then You graced me with Your abundant love. Baba, You are so gracious. In spite of my not caring about Your arrival because my mind was so crude, even then You showered so much grace that the whole world is dancing ceaselessly in Your divine love. Baba, the colorful flowers are ensconced & swaying in Your loving vibration and they have started blossoming uncontrollably. It is Your causeless grace.

O’ Parma Purusa, You are so magnificent & gracious; You have come and blessed me with Your divine love– You have saturated my whole existence. Baba, You are grace personified…

END NOTES FOR PS #2309:

[1] Shore of the Black River [krs’n’a’ nadiir ku’le]: This represents that dark, negative, or degenerated state of mind where one’s mind is dominated by all kinds of crude thoughts and desires. Thus when the mind is very low and one is just hankering for prestige, and singing about their own glory, and they want that others should praise them;– Such persons are degenerated. Their mind is in the lower kosa. And they do not want to listen to anything other than the tales of their own greatness. This is what it means by sitting by the shore of the black river.

********************************************
One Should Assess Oneself on the Following

Baba says, “When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No being can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different Entities. So what is the meaning of Sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and completely adopt the feeling that Parama Purusa alone is my everything.”

“Up to the time when any person is thinking that they are working with their own strength, then we should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati.” (General Darshan, Patna DMC, 1970, [from audio tape])
********************************************

Baba, please grace me by coming a little more close, and please smile a little softly. Baba, by Your grace, my penance to get You will remove the cimmerian darkness of my mind. That I know. And please shower Your sweet and charming smile like a full moon.

I know this cimmerian darkness of my mind is not eternal. So much mental blackness and stains, hundreds of times comes and goes from my mind. Yet this deep, all around pitch darkness, pervading everywhere, will leave while keeping its head low in defeat. Baba, You love the divine effulgence– not the darkness.

By Your grace, I will not accept defeat at any cost. I will remain holding only Your lotus feet. Whatever people may say, whatever may happen, I will remain pure and blemishless, by Your grace. Baba, You are my beginning and my end– You are my Goal.

Baba, please come close and grace me by Your divine love…

== UNIQUE COMPARISON ==

Namaskar,
Most are aware of the recent death of North Korean leader Kim Jung IL and most know that his son Kim Jung Un has been coronated and declared the new “supreme leader”.

This posting contrasts the reign of power in North Korea with some of the trends found in our Marga since 1990.

HOW COMMUNIST LEADERS OPERATE

As we know, both capitalism and communism are materialistic philosophies with one chief difference being that in communism individuals do not have personal property. There is no private ownership. Everything is owned, i.e. hoarded, by the state.

Furthermore, communism is purely atheistic with absolutely no acknowledgement of God; there is only matter. Those at the helm are completely focused on material wealth – nothing more. Because it is matter-centered, not God-centered. For them, matter is the be-all and end-all of life.

For this reason, communist leaders hold onto their top posts for as long as they survive on this earth. As individuals they do not own anything, so to enjoy all the glory, plunder and wealth, they keep their position with the state till the very end of their life. Time and again decrepit communist leaders die sitting in the top chair and ensure their progeny inherit their position.

THE SITUATION IN KOREA

In North Korea, the current family has been ruling for three generations. Kim-II Sung, the grandfather of this current lineage, ruled from 1948 to 1994. Upon his death all power was seamlessly transferred to his son, Kim Jung II, who ruled from 1994 to 2011.

This past week saw the death of Kim Jung II and once again the power as been passed from father to son. Kim Jung Un, the third ruler in this legacy, has since taken over the reins and been declared the “supreme ruler”. In this way this family dynasty has exploited the society and kept the power in their own hands.

Their basic approach is to hold onto the power right up until the time of the death, so they can keep their position and enjoy all the spoils, luxuries, wealth and prestige – all the while grooming their chosen son to be next-in-line for the crown. This way they can pass their wealth and privilege to the next generation.

Similar things we have seen going on in communist Cuba.

APPLYING THIS TO ANANDA MARGA

As 2011 winds down, we should be completely frank and analyse our own house.

Since 1990 so many things have happened, and now, 21 years later, we should take definitive steps to right those wrongs. To achieve that, both awareness and honesty are needed.

In theory as well as in practice, many dedicated workers in our Marga feel in their heart that Parama Purusa is everything. They keep Baba in their heart and work tirelessly thinking of Him.

Sadly, a large number of central workers follow their own separate outlook. For them matter, not spirituality, is everything and in order to keep their facilities and comforts – like cars, big bank balances, servants, prestige etc – they sit on the chair forever and ever. They are totally unwilling to give up their post. They keep it up to their death in order to cash-in on the benefits, regardless of whether they can do their job or not.

Then they use this next technique to keep the power within the “family”. Our purodhas may not have sons or daughters but they do have stooges. These purodhas do everything to ensure that after their own demise their stooges will be in power.

Considering the above, is there not a striking similarity between the North Korean dynasty and the groupist regimes of Ranchi and Kolkata. All those controlling AMPS in the early 1990’s are veritably the same people pulling the strings today. They got a taste of the power and do not want to give it up.

BABA’S TEACHING

Those who are naive think that Baba wants central workers to hold onto the hold post up till their death. But that is not at all correct.

It is Baba’s mandate and indeed His manner that workers must not be allowed to stay in the same post for more than 3 years. Invariably they will develop some worldly attachment to that place which is detrimental for their all-round growth. That will inhibit their ability to lead the life of a monk.

For this reason, since the inception of AMPS, this rule was strictly followed: No more than 3 years in any particular post. This rule is not hidden – everybody is aware about it. Just ask any senior margii or avadhuta. This is one of Baba’s procedural orders or related codes.

Still today this rule is actively followed throughout the entire organisation, except for with our central workers. They just cling desperately onto the post in their lust for crude power just like communist leaders.

MUST NOT CLING TO THE POST

Yet Baba emphasizes that those aged, elderly persons must not cling onto the post when they are unable to carry out the responsibilities. If one is sick, or senile, or unable to manage, then they should give up the post, and their position should be handed down to a younger, more fit person. This applies even to the post of Purodha Pramukha. Those who cling to the post are suffering from a psychic disease.

Baba says, ‘To get the post, to become controller, even aged people quarrel like children. ‘I want to become prime minister, I want to become prime minister.’ It is the childish play of elderly people. What is all this. Yes, these are all mental diseases; yes, yes these are all mental diseases.” (MGD, ‘Lord of All Lords’, Patna, paraphrased from the original Hindi.)

A link to the posting detail the above guideline is cited below in the notes after the signature.

WT CONDUCT RULE:

DIGNITY OF THE LABOR, NOT THE POST

Here is another teaching from Baba wherein He is guiding workers to not worship the post but rather give maximum respect for work.

Baba says, “Workers should have dignity of the labor and not the dignity of the post. They have nothing to do with promotion, demotion, and revulsion. Whatever responsibility is allotted to them they are to do with maximum respect for the work.” (37 Workers Rules, Point #33)

Unfortunately the post 1990 leaders never adhere to this guideline from Baba.

THEY NEVER TRANSFER THEMSELVES

Furthermore, today’s purodhas do not allow themselves to be transferred from their top spots. If and when they are transferred it is always to another their high-level, cabinet position. They never accept a regional or district level posting.

Since 1990 you might not have heard of any purodha leaving their post. They only leave it on their death, not before.

This is the common points that today’s purodhas share with communists. Those purodhas who capture the power stay there with the plan of dying in that chair. That is their strategy.

SUMMARY, Part 1

In this way North Korea and AM are quite similar. Some may not like to hear such a comparison, but given the conditions of the day we are forced to make such a remark.

My request is that those at the helm be reminded about following the norms, ethics, and teachings as given by Baba. They should leave their materialistic habits and give up their posts accordingly. They must pay heed to Baba’s Wt guidelines.

SUMMARY, Part 2

In all communist countries like Russia, Korea, Cuba and even in the communist state of West Bengal, those leaders never left their post, not until they were overruled or dead.

That is also the 20+ year history in our Marga.

This is not some glorious chapter. Communists follow a matter centered philosophy and that is why they are so glued to the post. But in AM, we are not post-oriented, but rather God-oriented. Someone should share this fact with today’s top post-holders.

Why do people stick to they post? Indeed only pseudo-sadhakas stick to the post, not anyone else.

Our philosophy is great; our philosophy is God-centered. But these purodhas are not heeding the tenets of AM philosophy. God should be the goal – not the post.

Please write in with your thoughts.

Namaskar,
Mahendra

Note 1: HOW BABA WAS TRANSFERRING DADAS

No one stayed in the same post for years and years. Many may recall that Pranavananda was COS (Central Office Secretary) but many times Baba transferred to him to Kullu and other places. Plus Sarveshvarananda was GS but was then transferred away from Centre. And indeed on a regular basis Baba would transfer people from Centre. There are so many cases. That is why those days nobody thought they would stay in their same post lifelong.

Note 2: HAVE YOU HEARD??

You might have heard that Rudrananda is dreaming to become purodha somehow before his death. He may make some plot against the current people. Dada might even pressure current the current PP Dada to resign “voluntarily”.

Note 3: TWO IMPORTANT LETTERS

This first letter contrasts capitalists with communists. The first hoard wealth on the individual level, whereas communists must be linked with the state in order to enjoy the riches.

Intro to PS: This following song is unique in its own special way. Here Baba, in an indirect manner, is talking to the devotee and consoling him about his situation.

“Jale bhara’ a’nkhi yadio toma’r…” (P.S. 1445)

Purport:

O’ my dear, I can see that Your eyes are filled with tears. Please tell me why you are so sad– such that You could not even manage to attend to your basic duties. Which divine Entity came and stole Your heart. He left, took away Your heart, and He did not return. Who is that who did that to you.

Even then please don’t cry, that very divine Entity will come again. No doubt He left you alone and He went off to some far distant place. And He does not come close these days. But that type of strength He does not have that He can keep Himself away forever. Yes, He keeps Himself distant from You; but your love He has not forgotten nor can He ever forget. He will surely come again.

O’ my dear, please tell me why you are so sad. Who has stolen Your heart; in whose longing are you crying. That Ajana Pathik, that divine Entity loves You very much, you should know…

== WHAT TO BELIEVE ==

Namaskar,
Nowadays, we all receive news nearly every moment from all parts of the globe. The news arrives via internet, discussions, blogs, emails, text messages, television, cell phone conversations, and indeed in all kinds of ways.

A key point in all of this is how to gather, receive, and best understand that news. How are we to know what is true and what is false.

Here I am not just talking about news of the general society, but news from within our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha as well. Please read the following for tips and guidelines; kindly share your perspective too.

OFTEN THE SOURCE IS NOT CORRECT

If the person or place from where you are gathering your news is faulty, or if that person is getting their news from a weak source, then you may be receiving incorrect news. This especially happens when the person telling you the news does not himself realise that what he is telling you is faulty. So with an earnest mind and sincere voice he conveys news to you, yet the information he is repeating is itself spoiled. This is one common way that wrong ideas get propagated.

For instance, some religions or religious sects preach that the world was created in six days. The priests propagate this notion. In response, their followers carry this message to all whom they meet. Because in their heart they believe this dogmatic and false notion. This is the way it often works.

Indeed, when the source of the news is himself devious, then news may reach your ears via other people yet you may not even realise that those things are incorrect. It happens.

Here are more practical examples to make this perfectly clear.

SCENES FROM THE GENERAL SOCIETY

In communist nations, the leaders would project their false propaganda – booming their message again and again. They repeat their incorrect messages over and over until the common citizens hold those ideas to be true.

Baba says, “Communism has survived long after the death of Marx. It survived only due to the force of arms and constant booming. If constant booming is done for something, then people start thinking that there must be some truth in what is being propagated. For example, if someone continually says that Gopal is a very bad boy, then people will eventually believe what they are being told. Gopal will become a bad boy in their eyes even if in fact Gopal is really a good boy. Communists are doing constant booming about their theory. Due to this people are being brainwashed, and at this stage it is very easy to inject incorrect ideas into their minds. By constant booming of their wrong theory they are creating their supporters.” (Prout Nutshell-15, Defects of Communism – Section C)

And indeed not only did the communist leaders create followers, but those innocent yet brainwashed followers would repeat and discuss those same ideas with others. In this way, the spread of those faulty notions multiplied.

Here is another example.

Around 700 years ago, the political and academic leaders in Europe told everyone that the world was flat. In turn, everyone talked about the earth as if it was really flat. But even though the common people repeated and discussed this faulty concept again and again – they are not to be blamed. The source of their information was not correct.

These are but a few examples from the general society where the common people unknowingly spread false news to others. The root cause is that they are being fed faulty ideas which they hold to be true.

SOME EXAMPLES FROM OUR MARGA

In our Ananda Marga also such things occur.

For instance, there are numerous margiis who think that the observance of mahaprayan is OK and they are telling their friends to participate because it is “consistent with AM philosophy”. In that case, how can one accuse those innocent margiis of spreading dogma. It is not their fault.

Rather some Dada injected this dogma and told them to celebrate mahaprayan and those people did not read AM scriptures to find out the truth. So they got misled by that hearsay. Hence those margiis still participating in the archaic and dogmatic mahaprayan function are not to be blamed. They were given faulty instructions.

Then of course there are margiis who belong to a specific group. Whatever group they join then they are taught certain defective ideas – even dogmas – by those group leaders. This applies to all the groups. They indoctrinate their followers into their own agenda items.

For instance, take the case of the various tiirthas or so-called holy sites. One group says that Jamalpur tiirtha is the “holiest place” and another group says that Tiljala is the “holiest place”. Some think one place is the most important and others think another place is the “holiest”. They each think that Baba is tied to their so-called holy land and resides there. For the margiis then, it all depends upon which group they are most influenced by.

Likewise, various groups spread their own Fake Ananda Vaniis. They each think that theirs is God’s message of that day. But if really that is Baba’s Ananda Vanii, then why are all three different – each group with their own.

THE THEOLOGY OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS DIFFER

In this following teaching, Baba describes the irony of how various religious factions or sects each claim to offer the supreme truth, yet each faction offers a different message.

Baba says, “The supporters of each and every scripture say, “Ours is the message of God, it is the supreme word.” Then if all the scriptures are messages of the same Supreme Being, why do they vary from one another? The Supreme Being is one, and if all the scriptures are messages of that single Supreme Being, then there should not be any variation amongst themselves. This shows that those scriptures are not the messages of that Supreme Being.” (Subhasita Samgraha – 24, Longing for the Great)

Similarly, the theology of various groups differ from one other yet each claims that theirs is the message of Baba. And this leads to serious problems.

Each group promotes their own false propaganda – or their own separate set of “truths” – which gets repeated again and again until all the margiis in their group buy into that propaganda. By this way, margiis of different groups grow very far apart because they are all adhering to a different “truth”. Thus the schism deepens.

In this way there are many examples of how each group does booming about their own false notions to their followers. Each group claims to be the path of truth yet all have distinctly different approaches.

In reality however, the universal truth is always the same, not many. Here are some common examples:
(a) 2 + 2 = 4; it will never be that a 2 + 2 = 3, 6, or 9.
(b) a triangle has 3 sides; it will never be that a triangle has 11, 12, or 14 sides.
(c) a healthy dog has 4 legs; it is not the case that a fit dog has 1 or 7 legs.

These statements are true in all conditions. They are singular in nature not plural. There are not multiple truths. The truth is one.

Same is the case with Ananda Marga ideology. It is one dharmic truth – not many.

BABA’S TEACHING:

MUST USE VIVEK TO GET THE RIGHT UNDERSTANDING

As Ananda Margiis we must be able to discern between truth and falsehood, otherwise we will be misled. According to Baba we must use our viveka or discriminating faculty.

Baba says, “Now, human beings are capable of judging between right and wrong because their minds are somewhat developed, but the minds of creatures other than humans are not so developed. Because of their undeveloped minds, they cannot follow the path of rationality, the path of discrimination, which almost every human being can. Those who say that there is no need of study – “Leave your books aside!” – are incorrect. Study is essential, knowledge is essential, and association with learned and enlightened people is essential. Listening to learned discourses, studying and understanding the scriptures, all have their importance.” (Neo-Humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Disc: 3)

Thus, by educating oneself about Baba’s divine teachings, then that sadhaka will be able to develop the requisite viveka and hold the course of dharma and not be swayed by groupist agendas.

If however anyone fails to adhere to Baba’s tenet and does not study AM ideology, then their plight will be similar to that of the bird in Baba’s below teaching.

Baba says, “But animals less-evolved than humans are incapable of this. They cannot follow the path of rationality or conscience. The more-developed animals merely follow the path of sentiment. When an animal likes something, it runs after it; when it does not like it, it does not run after it. For instance, a dog runs toward a piece of bread without looking to either side. Or, for example, some grains of rice are spread under a net. Suddenly a bird catches sight of the grains and alights on the ground. It thinks: “Let me go down and eat them!” So it is caught in the net. But had it pursued the path of rationality, it would have thought: “Hmmm, rice is strewn in such a remote woodland! This is unnatural. There is neither a village nor rice fields nearby – so this is indeed strange. Let me think this over for a while… Aha! A net has been spread and ropes are laid on all sides. I must not alight there!” This is the way of logic. But if it follows the path of sentiment it will alight and be caught in the net…” (Neo-Humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Disc: 3)

Finally, in His next teaching, Baba warns us about falling prey to any kind of sentiment like groupist sentiment.

Baba says, “If someone moves along the path of sentiment instead of the path of rationality, there is a hundred percent probability of great danger. Those who move along the path of sentiment do not discriminate between the proper and the improper, but merely silently accept all superstitions surrounding the goal towards which they have been running. Even the least question regarding propriety or impropriety does not arise in their minds, because they are moving along the path of sentiment.” (Neo-Humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Disc: 3)

BABA’S SOLUTION

In this critical situation, where all the group’s are fast propagating their own gospel, then the only way to keep firm to the path is to study Baba’s divine teachings. Baba took great pains to give so many discourese. Only when one is cent-per-cent familiar with Baba’s eternal guideline can one keep away from the group agendas. We are not to believe on hearsay. Otherwise, one is to be misled by this or that dada and get lured following a particular group, instead of Baba’s dharmic teachings. Hence, as Baba guides us, study is very important. That is the only way to uphold and protect AM ideology.

Baba says, “Study is essential, knowledge is essential, and association with learned and enlightened people is essential. Listening to learned discourses, studying and understanding the scriptures, all have their importance.” (Neo-Humanism: Liberation of Intellect, Disc: 3)

Baba says, “Dyspepsia originates from unbalanced food habits. Eating when one is not hungry or only half-hungry is harmful in this disease. So is eating rich food for days together, using intoxicants, eating tasty food out of greed alone, not taking rest after the meal before running off to the office, or taking a bellyful of food…” (YT, p.3)

1. In the life it often happens that when one feels hungry food is not ready; and when one is not hungry then one gets food to eat. This is the common problem. Especially in the case of most of Wts because of their traveling routine they depend on others’ or they face various inconveniences. So according to others’ schedule etc so it becomes very difficult to take food in a timely way– at the proper time food. That is why the tragedy is that the major percentage of Wts are suffering from one or more diseases. And unfortunately they end up leaving this world prematurely. Or they end up passing their day in a diseased and crippled condition totally feeble and bed-ridden. These are the common outcomes. So we should take lesson from all this and follow Baba’s teachings and guide others to do the same.

2. Some innocent persons are thinking that since they are not drinking liquor or doing drugs then it means that they are not using intoxicants. But we should remember that tea and coffee are also intoxicants.

3. To properly follow this above rule Baba has given the code that one should not take more than 4 times per day, but the general society is moving in a completely negative way. Many persons have the bad habit of chewing gum all day long etc. Earlier I thought only a few kids were involved in this dirty habit, but now it we can see that the problem has become more general. Because and at retreats and seminars even Dadas and some Didis are also chewing gum like wild goats. But by this dirty habit when all day long one is swallowing saliva then saliva producing glands become dry. Then when the real need is there then those glands cannot secrete saliva. That is why people suffer from various diseases. Because without saliva food cannot be properly digested and undigested food causes so many toxic effects in the body. So we should follow Baba point of maximum 4 times and four items.

4. ‘Rich food’ means the food which one cannot digest such as high fat, oily food– rich in fatty oily contents. Here ‘rich’ does not mean costly or not. it may be that rich foods are very cheap. The point is that eating rich, oily food invites the disease of obesity. This problem is quite common in the general public and also in our vast margii family. Everyone knows that obesity is the root cause of many kinds of diseases and that nowadays it is an epidemic.

5. In this modern era when everyone is feeling a shortage of time and people are just rushing from one work to another work, then they do not care to take rest after food. And that becomes the root cause of various diseases related with indigestion. The first of which is hyper-acidity. Sometimes this causes serious damage when one negative growth or side stomach or side pocket gets created. Then food sits there and rots and then people die from this.

6. When one takes rest after food then they can moderate their right nostril and ensure that it is open. But if after food they are just running to work then they cannot manage to keep the right nostril open in which case digestion is impaired.
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